From Tony Osauzo and Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council, yesterday, announced that it has commenced full campaign ahead of the September 21 governorship election in Edo State and urged eligible voters to come out and vote for Senator Monday Okpebholo who will best serve the interest of the people of the state.
Addressing journalists in Benin City, Media Consultant to the Council, Prince Kassim Afegbua, said the state under Okpebholo’s governorship will immediately overhaul five critical areas of the state socioeconomic stance which need urgent attention. He listed them as agriculture, health, Education and human capital development, environmental protection and safety security architecture.
“Senator Okpebholo is a man who possesses subliminal humility to engage with all Edo people of all stations of life. He has a deep knowledge of the state in terms of geography and peculiar challenges and predicaments and also possesses quality general knowledge and broad contacts to attract fitting solutions to the problems across the state.
“Senator Okpebholo is a man with emotional intelligence to which has enriched him with meek patience in dealing with fellow humans; from a humble beginning, he struggled to break the glass ceiling to make the success which he is today in life. He knows the colour of poverty, he understands the struggles and sufferings of our people, he shares in their aspirations and yearnings, and he’s ready to confront the vile architecture of those who don’t mean well for the state, to make a better home for our people. From Akuku to Ologbo, Okpekpe to Okada, we will carry everybody along to build a new Edo where love and affection, peace and stability will co-exist to deepen the conversation of governance. Senator Okpebholo is a simple man by nature, he is a man with grit and vision. He is approachable and is a community builder, who has invested in the development of his people.”
Noting that the state has been badly run in the last eight years, he assured that the current state of affairs will form the basis for the people’s comparison and commendation of Senator Okpebholo when he assumes office.
“We know that our people are desirous of a new lease of life for our dear state, and we feel happy that the time has now come; we are now on the cusp of happiness and progress again in this state. We the members of the APC, are harbingers of good tidings; our candidate’s success in this race will never bear regret from anyone, covertly or overtly. The APC in Edo State is a party with professionals of repute, who have in private lives and in public offices made record successes.
“Senator Monday Okpebholo will right all the wrongs that have bedeviled Edo State: political prebendalism, threats, intimidation and coercion and intolerance, which currently reign supreme. These were the bane of the failure of the state. They will be corrected. I assure you all that after critical examinations, we have concluded that Edo State has not hit an impasse; the condition at the moment is just an imbroglio; Senator Okpebholo is equal to the task! The September 21st election presents a golden opportunity for every Bona Fide voter of this state to join hands to reinvent the wheel, and set Edo state, once again, on the path of unity and harmony.

“While others promote their candidate as THE MAN WEY SABI, we proudly present Senator Okpebholo as THE MAN WEY WE SABI. We know him as a Senator representing the good people of Edo Central Senatorial District, an illustrious son of the soil, who is ever ready to shoulder the responsibilities of his people. We have come to the point in Edo state’s electoral trajectory where we must resist any attempt of anyone to use the state as a buffer for failed business enterprises”, Afegbua added.
Condemning governor Godwin Obaseki for failing to fulfil his electoral promises to the people of the state, Afegbua noted that the only noticeable dividends of democracy he has bequeathed to the state is flooding and environmental degradation.
He faulted the governor for running the affairs of the state with strangers and in particular, for using foreigners to handle the return of Benin Artefacts without the spiritual implications of such action for the Artefacts.